Module Catalogue 2024/25

MMB8009 : Clinical Epidemiology

MMB8009 : Clinical Epidemiology

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Mark Pearce
  • Lecturer: Dr Louise Reynard, Dr Emma Slack, Dr Svetlana Cherlin, Professor Linda Sharp, Dr Zainab Akhter, Mrs Nermine Basta
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

Programme Application Criteria Only

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module aims to provide the students with a sound theoretical and practical understanding of value, theoretical basis and practicalities of epidemiology and approaches to epidemiological research. Epidemiology concerns the investigation of distributions and causes of disease within populations. This module engages the students in thinking about the basic concepts of epidemiology and covers the basic epidemiology of cancer, children’s health and adult onset diseases, as well as how to investigate the potential impact of environmental, lifestyle and occupational exposures on the health of individuals. The emphasis of the course is on practical application – how can I set about answering a question about the health of individuals within an epidemiological framework? Throughout the course you will develop skills in critical appraisal by evaluating published research and the strengths and weaknesses of epidemiology itself. By the end of the course students will, with our help in small group tutorial work, have designed an epidemiological study of their choice and gained knowledge that will be provide a sound grounding if you undertake medical or biological research in the future. No previous experience of epidemiology is required as the module assumes no prior knowledge of epidemiological methods. The module is appropriate for all students accepted for the MRes, regardless of background.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus includes:

Introductory lecture: What is it and what has epidemiology ever done for us?
Epidemiological Study Design – ecological, cross-sectional and cohort studies
Case-Control Studies
Measuring disease frequency – incidence, prevalence and mortality
Bias, confounding and mediation
Creating Information for use in epidemiology studies
Ethics and Legal issues in epidemiology
Lifecourse Epidemiology
Genetic and Epigenetic Epidemiology
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Cancer Epidemiology
Molecular Epidemiology
Perinatal and Paediatric Epidemiology
Critical appraisal of epidemiology literature
Causation and interpretation
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
Developing hypotheses and planning studies (leading to the written assignment and related oral presentation)

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module the students should be able to:

1. discuss the basic concepts of epidemiology and especially environmental and genetic epidemiology and the fundamentals of epidemiological research

2. demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of all studies; error, bias and confounding

3. discuss the legal and ethical issues of the use of information

4. display an awareness of the role of epidemiological investigation in the study of disease

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

1. plan an epidemiological investigation taking account of ethical and consent issues, study design, information sources, data capture and issues of bias and confounding (summative assessment)

2. produce an oral presentation on their epidemiological study design (summative assessment)

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture251:0025:00Present in person (PIP) lecture sessions
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion160:0060:00Preparation and submission of study design assignment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching51:005:00Present in person PIP seminars with very small group seminars related to the study design assignment. Also includes the oral presentations
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity120:0020:00Additional Reading & Reflective Learning
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study165:0065:00Preparing Notes from Lectures and Reading
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study125:0025:00Preparation of presentation
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

An understanding of epidemiology is a key area in modern medical science. The majority of the course will be taught by lectures and seminars which is standard format, but also with some very small teaching. The knowledge gained and the skills developed in the lecture and seminars will enable the students to make a more informed approach to this subject, particularly in:

1. The fundamentals of epidemiological research.

2. The limitations of all studies.

3. The legal and ethical issues.

4. The role of epidemiological investigation in the study of disease.

5. The basic concepts of environmental and genetic epidemiology.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M80Written epidemiological study design- maximum word count 3000 words
Oral Presentation1M20Present in Person Oral Presentation on study design - 10 minutes per student with 5 minutes for questions
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and understanding are assessed in the coursework. Key (transferable) skills are assessed by coursework.

The oral presentation will assess presentation, critical appraisal and planning skills, and will provide feedback aimed at improving presentation skills and also to assist with the summative coursework.

The written assignment will reinforce material supplied in lectures and help students practice written communication, critical appraisal and design understanding.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.